Vice President, Growth

Assail Federal, Inc.

About Assail Federal

Assail Federal builds autonomous offensive AI for the warfighter and the defense of mission-critical systems. Our Reaper platform enables mission teams to conduct authorized offensive cyber operations in contested, disconnected, and communications-denied environments. Built for expeditionary deployment, Reaper brings autonomous cyber capabilities to the tactical edge, operating locally without reliance on internet connectivity or continuous reachback.

Reaper also enables agencies and commands to test their own applications, APIs, AI systems, and digital infrastructure through autonomous red teaming and adversarial exposure validation. Whether supporting operations against adversary infrastructure or validating the security of friendly assets, Reaper operates within defined mission authorities and operational boundaries.

We are looking for a growth leader who can connect these capabilities to mission requirements and turn customer engagement into funded deployments, operational adoption, and enduring defense programs.

About the role

As Vice President, Growth, you will own Assail Federal’s growth strategy and execution, from identifying mission requirements and building customer relationships through capture, contract award, and program expansion.

Reporting directly to Alissa Knight, CEO and Chief AI Officer, you will help determine where we compete, which partnerships we build, and how we invest in opportunities. You will work closely with engineering to align our technology with customer priorities and establish credible paths from demonstrations to operational deployment.

This is a hands-on executive role. You will personally advance strategic opportunities while building the team, processes, and discipline needed to scale the federal business.

What you’ll do

Develop and execute a growth strategy across defense and national security customers, with clear priorities, bookings targets, and resource plans.

Build relationships with operational users, mission owners, program offices, acquisition professionals, and funding stakeholders.

Identify emerging mission requirements and connect them to Reaper’s capabilities through focused customer engagement.

Build and manage a qualified pipeline grounded in mission fit, funding, acquisition timing, competitive position, and delivery readiness.

Lead capture strategy, competitive assessments, teaming decisions, pursuit budgets, and bid/no-bid recommendations.

Work with customers and technical teams to design demonstrations and evaluations with measurable outcomes and a defined path to funded adoption.

Identify appropriate acquisition pathways and contract vehicles in collaboration with contracting and legal specialists.

Lead proposal efforts, coordinating technical, management, pricing, and contractual contributions to produce compelling, compliant submissions.

Develop partnerships with prime contractors, defense technology companies, integrators, and research organizations.

Track budget and acquisition developments that affect priority pursuits and adjust plans accordingly.

Build transition strategies that connect initial awards to follow-on funding, broader deployment, and enduring programs, including programs of record where appropriate.

Maintain accurate forecasts and give the CEO clear visibility into opportunity progress, risks, and investment decisions.

Bring customer insights into product planning while aligning commitments with engineering capacity and contractual requirements.

Build and develop the growth team as the business expands.

What you’ll bring

Demonstrated success winning and expanding defense or national security business involving complex technology.

Experience owning opportunities across business development, capture, proposal development, and award.

An understanding of how mission requirements, government budgets, funding decisions, and acquisition processes connect.

Experience converting demonstrations, prototypes, or initial contracts into follow-on business or operational adoption.